Well … This is the month for New
Year’s resolutions, which I don’t like making but if I'm gonna
get anything for next Christmas I better start being good. Oh wait! I
don't 'do' that holiday anymore! Not for any Grinchy reasons though;
mostly because the first family Christmas gathering I had in my Rez
house 10 years ago began fantastically but ended in angry shouts,
fists being shaken and dark vows of never dampening my doorstep
again. Good times, good times … Not!

Eh. I did continue to put up a fake
tree for a few more years just because for my son until my
realization I’m celebrating a Christian holiday and I’m not even
Christian! That poor old tree is in the basement looking all broken
and sad because I find it emotionally exhausting to un-decorate it. I
am happy when other people are happy for that day sharing and giving
with their loved ones especially the children. To me, kids make the
day joyful; they grow up so fast and deserve Santa presents. I did
become tearful when I thought of past Christmases when my son and
nephew were kids, now I’m happy I have those memories.

This past Christmas morning I woke
and went to see if Santa Claus left me anything. Nope. Not even a
lump of coal. I let Mitzi my dog outside, sat for a minute watching
snowflakes gently fall, let Mitzi back in. She began doing that weird
doggy ‘boot scoot’ all over the carpet and a chair and I just
thought she needed to have her behind squeegeed by her groomer. Well
I prepared breakfast for my six cats and the Mitz; when I called for
her she came but wouldn’t eat. What? Then I lifted her tail and it
was a smelly nest of soft mushy poop and long hair.

I know, right? Well I bathed her,
sat down again and heard retching sounds. It wasn’t me. Tupac the
cat had found the one still unsullied spot on the carpet and yakked
up a chunky pool of puke. Sigh. I waited until it was room
temperature before I could bring myself to clean that mess up cuz I
would throw up too if it was too warm or cold. I know … ick! But I
signed up for their care knowing they come with undesirable body
functions so I turned my attention to making chicken soup for myself.
I even turned up the heat as a present to me; usually I keep it as
low as possible.

It was a good day. I have everything
I need including and especially love.

Now as for my New Year’s vows; I
will not sit back and let other people do all the heavy work to
change our world for the better. I will speak out and act out for
causes that are near and dear to my heart like eliminating the vile
team name of Washington “Redskins.” I am calling out Black
Americans on this too – why do they paint up their faces and don
‘Indian’ headdresses especially since they most of all the other
minorities know what it’s like to be disrespected and marginalized?
It sickens me to see that. In no way would anyone in the US tolerate
any team to be called the “N” word. Would Asian, Hispanic,
Jewish, Gay or Redneck Americans allow their culture or ethnicity to
be abused in this way and then see it justified it as 'a tradition'
and say they are honoring ______ Americans?

Don’t tell me your children
wouldn’t be hurt and confused by the racist images that popular
culture insists is just a game fer cripe’s sake, get over it. Our
parents and theirs had to deal with it but our children don’t have
to … not anymore at all. They deserve our outrage and activism so
their kids don’t have to grow up in that evil shadow of hateful
dismissal.

This is also about wolves being
demonized in European culture. I think of the Story of the Wolf,
Maaii’gan in Ojibwe, that the Creator said that when first man and
his wolf brother were separated that what happens to one will happen
to the other. This is happening now. I vow to speak for my wolf
family and refuse to let the sickness in this society allow open
season on my people.

I officially announce my intent to
sing, dance, write, rally, protest any and all further genocidal
attacks upon the original occupants of our beloved Turtle Island.
Nyah! So there, take that to town. I will be waiting for yooz.

Whew! I’m so glad to get that out
there! Yeah, despite my mostly absurd, karmically ironic existence
I'm just fine. For now anywayz. Happy New Year ya’ll, write me or
email your resolutions, mmmmkay?

Copyright 2008 The Circle News. All rights reserved. The Circle New is dedicated to presenting news from a Native American perspective, while granting an equal opportunity to community voices. Editorials and articles are the sole responsibility of the authors, and do not necessarily reflect the opinion, attitude, or philosophy of The Circle or the corporation. The Circle does not endorse any product or service accepted as advertising. The Circle reserves the right to reject any advertising, material, or letters submitted for publication. NO PART OF THIS PUBLICATION MAY BE REPRODUCED WITHOUT THE WRITTEN CONSENT OF THE PUBLISHER.West7th**